Farm Equipment Mechanic or Service Technician
Other Titles
Agricultural Mechanic, Agricultural Technician, Agriculture Mechanic, Farm Equipment Mechanic, Farm Equipment Service Technician, Field Technician, Mechanic, Service Technician, Tractor Mechanic, Tractor Technician
Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul farm machinery and vehicles, such as tractors, harvesters, dairy equipment, and irrigation systems. They routinely inspect machinery such as tractors and harvesters to diagnose any malfunctions and repair them. They also overhaul the farm machinery on a regular basis to keep it in good functioning order. A part of their job is to disassemble the farm machinery to repair or replace the faulty components. This includes testing, repairing and replacing electrical components installed in the machinery.
Maintain, repair, and overhaul farm machinery and vehicles, such as tractors, harvesters, and irrigation systems.
Dismantle defective machines for repair, using hand tools.
Record details of repairs made and parts used.
Reassemble machines and equipment following repair, testing operation and making adjustments, as necessary.
Clean and lubricate parts.
Test and replace electrical components and wiring, using test meters, soldering equipment, and hand tools.
Tune or overhaul engines.
Examine and listen to equipment, read inspection reports, and confer with customers to locate and diagnose malfunctions.
Repair or replace defective parts, using hand tools, milling and woodworking machines, lathes, welding equipment, grinders, or saws.
Drive trucks to haul tools and equipment for on-site repair of large machinery.
Fabricate new metal parts, using drill presses, engine lathes, and other machine tools.
Repair bent or torn sheet metal.
Calculate bills according to record of repairs made, labor time, and parts used.
Equipment Maintenance→ Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
Repairing→ Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
Troubleshooting→ Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
Operation and Control→ Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Critical Thinking→ Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Operation Monitoring→ Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Quality Control Analysis→ Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Complex Problem Solving→ Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Equipment Selection→ Determining the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
Judgment and Decision Making→ Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Active Listening→ Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Reading Comprehension→ Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Speaking→ Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Active Learning→ Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Monitoring→ Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Getting Information→ Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment→ Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
Making Decisions and Solving Problems→ Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment→ Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events→ Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material→ Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
Handling and Moving Objects→ Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
Performing General Physical Activities→ Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates→ Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Controlling Machines and Processes→ Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings→ Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge→ Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
Processing Information→ Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
Analyzing Data or Information→ Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
Communicating with Persons Outside Organization→ Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People→ Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
Documenting/Recording Information→ Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work→ Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
Thinking Creatively→ Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment→ Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.
Developing Objectives and Strategies→ Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships→ Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards→ Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
Interacting With Computers→ Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
Performing for or Working Directly with the Public→ Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
Scheduling Work and Activities→ Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
Training and Teaching Others→ Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
Disassemble equipment for maintenance or repair.
Repair defective engines or engine components.
Service vehicles to maintain functionality.
Adjust equipment to ensure optimal performance.
Maintain repair or maintenance records.
Reassemble equipment after repair.
Test mechanical equipment to ensure proper functioning.
Clean equipment, parts, or tools to repair or maintain them in good working order.
Lubricate equipment to allow proper functioning.
Install machine or equipment replacement parts.
Test electrical circuits or components for proper functioning.
Adjust vehicle components according to specifications.
Confer with customers or users to assess problems.
Inspect mechanical equipment to locate damage, defects, or wear.
Read work orders or descriptions of problems to determine repairs or modifications needed.
Repair worn, damaged, or defective mechanical parts.
Replace worn, damaged, or defective mechanical parts.
Move large objects using heavy equipment.
Fabricate parts or components.
Repair structural components.
Install piping for installation or maintenance activities.
Repair pipes to stop leaking.
Control Precision→ The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
Manual Dexterity→ The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
Multilimb Coordination→ The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.
Finger Dexterity→ The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
Arm-Hand Steadiness→ The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
Near Vision→ The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Problem Sensitivity→ The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
Visualization→ The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
Deductive Reasoning→ The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
Oral Comprehension→ The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Static Strength→ The ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects.
Extent Flexibility→ The ability to bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
Inductive Reasoning→ The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
Oral Expression→ The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Reaction Time→ The ability to quickly respond (with the hand, finger, or foot) to a signal (sound, light, picture) when it appears.
Selective Attention→ The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
Trunk Strength→ The ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without 'giving out' or fatiguing.
Flexibility of Closure→ The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
Information Ordering→ The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g. , patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
Speech Recognition→ The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
Written Comprehension→ The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
Auditory Attention→ The ability to focus on a single source of sound in the presence of other distracting sounds.
Category Flexibility→ The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
Depth Perception→ The ability to judge which of several objects is closer or farther away from you, or to judge the distance between you and an object.
Dynamic Strength→ The ability to exert muscle force repeatedly or continuously over time.
This involves muscular endurance and resistance to muscle fatigue.
Hearing Sensitivity→ The ability to detect or tell the differences between sounds that vary in pitch and loudness.
Perceptual Speed→ The ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object.
Response Orientation→ The ability to choose quickly between two or more movements in response to two or more different signals (lights, sounds, pictures).It includes the speed with which the correct response is started with the hand, foot, or other body part.
Speech Clarity→ The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
Visual Color Discrimination→ The ability to match or detect differences between colors, including shades of color and brightness.
Wrist-Finger Speed→ The ability to make fast, simple, repeated movements of the fingers, hands, and wrists.
Mechanical→ Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
Customer and Personal Service→ Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Computers and Electronics→ Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Language→ Knowledge of the structure and content of a language - English, French, Swahili et cetera - including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Mathematics→ Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Education and Training→ Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
Administration and Management→ Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Engineering and Technology→ Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
Database user interface and query software -- Field service management software
Electronic mail software -- e.g., Mozilla Thunderbird; Microsoft Outlook
Facilities management software -- Computerized maintenance management system CMMS
Internet browser software -- e.g., Google Chrome; Microsoft Internet Explorer; Mozilla Firefox
Spreadsheet software -- e.g., Google Sheets; Microsoft Excel
Word processing software -- e.g., Google Docs; Microsoft Word
Adjustable wrenches→ Adjustable end wrenches
Air compressors→ Gas powered air compressors
Ammeters→ Inductive ammeters
Angle grinder→ Angle grinders
Automatic lathe or chucking machine→ Automated lathes
Ball peen hammer→ Machinist's hammers
Bastard cut file→ Flat bastard files
Bench grinder→ Bench grinders
Bench vises→ Clamp-on bench vises
Bolt cutters→ Heavy duty bolt cutters
Box end wrenches→ Offset box wrenches
Bullet pilot point→ Spade drill bits
C clamps
Calipers→ Inside calipers; Outside calipers; Vernier calipers
Center punch→ Automatic center punches
Claw hammer→ Curved claw hammers
Cold chisels→ Diamond point chisels; Flat cold chisels; Round nose chisels
Combination pliers
Combination wrenches→ Combination spanners
Countersinks→ Countersink drill bits
Crimping pliers→ Crimping tools
Diagonal cut pliers→ Diagonal cutting pliers
Dial indicator or dial gauge→ Clamping dial indicator
Drill bit set→ Drill bit sets
Drill press or radial drill→ Bench mount drill presses
Dynamometers→ Engine dynamometers
Engine tune up tester→ Engine analyzers; Engine compression testers
Feeler gauges→ Flat feeler gauges
Flow sensors→ Fuel flow gauges
Fuel pressure sensor→ Fuel pressure gauges
Gas welding or brazing or cutting apparatus→ Oxyacetylene welders
Grinding wheel dressers
Hacksaw→ Mini hacksaws
Hammers→ Ripping hammers
Heat guns→ Dual temperature heat guns
Hole gauge→ Small hole gauges
Impact wrenches→ Air wrenches
Insulation resistance meters→ Insulation resistance testers
Jacks→ Short chassis jacks
Levels→ Mechanic's levels
Linemans pliers→ Lineman's pliers
Locking pliers→ Hose clamp pliers; Locking chain pliers; Straight jaw locking pliers
Mallets→ Rawhide hammers
Metal inert gas welding machine→ Metal inert gas MIG welders
Micrometers→ Inside micrometers; Outside micrometers
Multimeters→ Digital multimeters
Needlenose pliers→ Needle nose pliers
Notebook computers→ Laptop computers
Nut drivers→ T-handle nut drivers
Offset screw driver→ Offset screwdrivers
Ohmmeters→ Digital ohmmeters
Oil gun→ Oil injectors
Oscilloscopes→ Digital oscilloscopes
Personal computers
Pipe or tube cutter→ Pipe cutters
Pipe reamer→ Spiral pipe reamers
Portable data input terminals→ Diagnostic scan units
Power drills→ Electric drills
Power grinders→ Disk grinders
Power riveter→ Pop riveters; Rivet guns
Power saws→ Portable power hacksaws
Pullers→ Bearing pullers; External gear pullers; Internal gear pullers; Slide hammers
Punches or nail sets or drifts→ Nail sets
Pyrometers→ Digital pyrometers
Ratchets→ Flex head ratchets; Reversible ratches
Router bits→ Router bit sets
Saws→ Handsaws
Screw extractors→ Spiral screw extractors
Screwdriver bits→ Screwdriver bit sets
Screwdrivers→ Clutch head screwdrivers; Phillips screwdrivers; Standard screwdrivers
Sharpening stones or tools or kits→ Oil stones
Shielded metal arc welding or stick welding machine→ Arc welders
Slip joint pliers
Slip or groove joint pliers→ Groove joint pliers
Sockets→ Extension sockets; Flex handle sockets; Universal socket wrenches
Soldering iron→ Soldering guns
Spark plug gap gauge→ Spark plug feeler gauges
Spark plug wrench→ Spark plug sockets
Speedometers→ Speed indicators
Squares→ Steel squares
Tachometers→ Digital tachometers
Taper punch→ Lining-up punches
Taps→ Tap and die sets
Thickness measuring devices→ Sheet metal gauges
Thread pitch gauge→ Screw thread pitch gauges
Threading dies→ Pie dies
Threading taps→ Pipe taps
Timing light→ Engine timing lights
Tinners snips→ Aviation snips
Tire pressure gauge→ Digital tire pressure gauges
Tire repair kit→ Valve core removal tools
Torque screwdriver→ Digital torque screwdrivers
Torque wrenches→ Click type torque wrenches
Tungsten inert gas welding machine→ Tungsten inert gas TIG welders
Vacuum gauges→ Digital vacuum gauges
Voltage or current meters→ Digital voltmeters
Wire gauge→ Circular wire gauges
Wire-stripping pliers→ Wire stripper pliers
Workshop cranes→ Portable cranes
Realistic→ Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
Conventional→ Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
Investigative→ Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
Dependability→ Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Attention to Detail→ Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Self Control→ Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
Integrity→ Job requires being honest and ethical.
Cooperation→ Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Persistence→ Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
Analytical Thinking→ Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
Concern for Others→ Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
Adaptability/Flexibility→ Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
Independence→ Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
Achievement/Effort→ Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
Initiative→ Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Innovation→ Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.
Stress Tolerance→ Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.
Social Orientation→ Job requires preferring to work with others rather than alone, and being personally connected with others on the job.
Leadership→ Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.
Support→ Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
Independence→ Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
Achievement→ Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.